Stencil-printing machine



June 8 1926.

H. P. ELLIOTT STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb., 14.

1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 8,1926. 1,588,099

H. P. ELLIOTT STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14. 1924 s Sheds-sheet 2 ,iever-ror;

June s, 192e.

H. P. ELLIOTT STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 48, 1926.

UNITED vSTATES PATENT yorrlcia.

HARMON P. ELLIOTT, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS. f

s'rENcIL-rmmme MACE-INE.

Appleman am February 14, 1924. serial mi. 632,840.

This invention relates to stencil printing machines anlis a continuation 1n part of my co-pending application-.Serial No. 688,-y

298, filed January 24, 1924.

Stencils are or may be maintained in alphabetical or equivalent orderin trays and are placed in such order in the stencil printin machine and are run through the ma# -chine for the printing of addresses and the like and the used stencils are again placed in the same order in trays. It is very often desirable to select only certain stencils of the entire group for printing but is notpracticable to locate and extract the desired stencils from the trays.

` An object of this invention is the sion of a stencil printing machine, an

rovipar- ticularly a hand-operated machine, having punch marks may be located in a specic' manner in or on the stencil. Indicating means, preferably adjustable, may be pro-l vided and so arranged that as the stencils are passing intermittently through the machine, the register of the indicating means with the punch mark of a stencil indicates,

that the registering stencil is to be -used for printing; and the machine is so operated as to print from the stencil. If, however, the indicating means and the punch mark of a stencil are not in register the machine may be o erated to pass that stencil through the mac ine'without printing therefrom.

A v:further object of the invention is to improve the construction and operation of stencil printing machines. Y

Fig. 1 is `a side elevation of a stencil printing'machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Y Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine of Fig..1,V partly in section.v

- Fig. 3 1s a partial sectional view taken along lines 3 3 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical section ofthe machine taken /along line 4-4 of Fig. 2.1

Fig. 5 is a partial plan view ofthe stencil .track and stencil holder and illustrating more particularly. the arrangement of the stencils therein and theirv relation with the stencil selecting means.

Fig. 6 is a detail illustrating more particularly the conjoint printing operation of the printing sectors and the dating attachment. Y

As here shown, the stencil printing machine embody-ing t-he invention is hand-operated and includes a base 10 which is adapted to rest upon a table or other suitable support. Sald base l0 is formed With a fiat top 11 which forms a table or bed adapted to support the work A, as envelopes, sheets,v

bills, and the Alike to be printed.

The' ty e of stencil more particularly adapted U most clearly in Fig. 5 and comprises a relatively stiff frame 12 having av window thereor use inthis machine is shown in occupied by a stencil sheet 13, which sheet is adapted to bear the characters, as an address, to be imprinted. Said stencil sheet 13 isA disposed to lie entirely Within the opposite faces of the frame 12 as is indicated more clearl in Fig. 6, although the particun lar form o` stencil is not of especial importance' so far as this invention is concerned.

The stencils are adapted to be moved above the bed 11 in tracks 14 and 15 whic tracks are formed or provided with grooves. 16 in their opposed parallel aces, in which grooves the stencils are adapted to slide freely. VA superimposed pile of stencils are ada ted to be supported in position to be intro uced one at a time into olie' end of the stencil track whereby to be moved along said track for the printing ofthe impressions carried by them.4 The stencils are contained in astencil holder carried byand disposed at one end of the stencil track. The stencil holder ma comprise the channelled end-plates 18 an 19, which plates `may be secured to the parallel `and spaced lil tracks.

stencil tracks 14 and 15 by suitable means as screws 20, and said stencil holder, thereby serves to provide a rigid support for the A supporting bracket 2l. may be secured to the base of the machine at one side thereof, and extend 'upwardlyand over the bed 11 of said base and be secured to one of said tracks as the track 15 .whereby to support the track and the stencil holder in elevated position above and spaced trom said bed l1. A superimposed pile oit stencils is nesses of the wo adapted to be supported :freely within said' stencil holder and in such position that the lowermost stencil of the pile may be transferred from the pile'into and moved along the track into a printing position.

- The printing stencils are adapted to be discharged from the track into a stencil.l

receiver 23, which receiver is pivotally connested depcndently the ends of said tracks i4 and l5 as by means of a bracket 24.

The printing mechanism includes two superimposed stencil diivingand printing,

sectors and 26, which sectors are approximately semicircular in shape and the faces thereof are covered with a relatively yieiding material as rubber, for instance. 'lhe lower sect/or is`xed tol an operating shaft 27 and said sector may extend through an y a erture 23 in the bed ll of the base 10.

aid operating shaft 2'? is journalled in a lever support 29, which support is pivoted at 30 to'the base 10. rlFhe other end of said .lever support is engaged by a compression vspring 31 whereby yieldingly to maintain the printing sectorf26 inl printing relation with the stencils in the stencil tracks@ and also with the work to be rintedj upon and permit said sector to yield downwardly. whereby to compensate for various thickr Said operating shaft 27 is extended freely through a vertically .elongated aperture 33 in the base 10 and a ear 34 is fixed to. the-outer end thereof. he upper sector 25 is fixed to an operating shaft 35 and said shaft is supported in the' spaced arms 36 and 37 of a bracket 38, which bracket is secured to the base 10. A gear 39 is fixed to the end of said shaft andv meshes with the gear 34 and is of equal,

` arm releasingly for conjoint rotation.

assenso 'Y is screw-threaded into the end of said shaft '35. Said handle is provided with an; intermediate cylindrical portion l43, -which portion may form a crank arm, and a spring- -pressed pin 44 isslidably received within said cylindrical portion 43. Said pin 44 is adapted to enter a recess inthe end of said arm 40 whereby to lock said handle Sand aid arm may be released from said handle by moving thepin toward the right, F ig. 2, whereby to remove the end of said pin from its normal 'position within the recess in said "arm 40 and the handle may then be rotated independently or" the sectors whereby independently to actuate the feeding mechanism. Said arm 40 is provided with a laterally curved extension 40., which extension is adapted to form a cam face and guide said spring-pressed pin 44 to enter the recess in said arm 40 upon a suitable movement of the operating handle 4l. A latch 4 6 is secured pivotally to the bracket 38 and-ais adapted to engage, and support said arm 40 against movement r in one direction, as against counterclockwise rotation, yet the latch is adapted to'be movedabout its pivot by said arm 40 whereby to permit said arm to rotate in a clockwise direction. Said latch is adapted to hold said arm stationary when said operating handle 41 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction whereby to `permit said 1pm 44 to be depressed for entering the loc lng aperture in said arm 40. Said latch is also arranged to hold said scctors in a stencil-disengaging position.

Stencils are fed successively from the pile of stencils in the stencil receiver and delivered into the stencil tracks in a position to be engaged by the printingl sectors by suitable means including the pusher 50. Said pusher is arranged to be reciprocated within the slots in the utracks 14 and 15 to engage the lowermost stencil voi the pile and move it from its position under the pile of stencils and into such position in the track that it may be engaged by the sectors 25 and 26, as said sectors are rotated, which sectors are arranged to move the stencils further along the track while simultaneously recording the impressions borne lby the stencils and moving the work. Said pusher is' reciprocated by suitable 'neans including a connecting rod 52, which connectingvrod is arranged fordetachable operativeconnection with the operating handle 4l, for a purpose with which this invention is not concerned. i

As thus arranged, with the connecting rod inoperative connection withthe operating handle, the pusher 50 is give-n one complete reciprocation at each complete revolution of the handle, whereby to move the lowermost stencil from the pile of stencils into the stencil -track and in a position to be engaged and moved further along the track by the sectors 25 and 26, Said sectors are so arranged and timed with relation to the movements of the pusher as to engage a stencil moved into the track from the stencil receiver and move it alongthe track-'while the -pusher is on its outward stroke.

The operation of the machine so far described is substantially as follows The worksheet as an envelope o'r bill to be printed upon is placed upon the bed 11 of the machine beneath the tracks 14 and 'l5 and between the sectors 25 and 26. As said sectors are rotated, the t proximate ends thereof are moved inwardly toward each other and into engagement.' with Vthe sheet and also with the stencil superimposed thereon in said stencil track; and press the two together. Due to the rotation of said sectors, the stencil and the sheet are moved simultaneously towardthe delivery end of the machine end, at the same time, the impressions borne by the stencil are impressed' on the vsheet by ink carried by the face of the upper sector 25 which ink .is Aforced through the impression in the stencil.

The surface of the upper sector may bev maintained in inked condition by. suitable means asx the ink rollA 73 which roll is sup- -plied with ink from an ink reservoir'77, which is pivotally supported forwardly ofv the stencil receiver. A toothed ink wheel 78. is rotatably mounted within said reservoir, and with the periphery thereofimmersed in the ink. A transfer. roll 80, which preferably is of elt'or other absorbent material, is disposed above lsaid inkvreserv'oir and is adapted to be held yieldingly againsty and in rolling engagement` with thev ink roll 7 3 whereby to be rotated as the rinting Sector 25 rotates said'ink roll. is a plied to the transfer roll by moving said i5( roll 70upwar'dly, wherebyto cause the inkwheel 78 toengage and roll in engagement with said transfer roll. Said transfer roll is rotatably supported by a bracket 83, 'which bracket is` pivotally supportedl on the upper operati-ng shaft. A spring 84 connected between said bracket83 and the fixed brack- 0 et 38 serves to maintain said transfer roll SOyieIdingly .in engagement with the in k roll73. l -,F. 'As has been previously-stated, the stencils? are contained in alphabetical or other classified order in trays and are adapted to bey lacedin such order inthe stencil holder. gVhile the stencils, if the stencils bear names .and addresses, may be arranged in alphabetical order, it is often desirable while feeding all stencils through the machine to print only from selectedstencils. For instance, it. may be desirable to eircularizel only a certain class of trade, as for instance,

-druggists and it is desirable that only the addresses of druggists should be selected oec from the entire list of stencils for printing. It may bedesirable also at one time to send mail matter to several classes of the entire list. indicate to the operative of the stencil printmg machine, the particular stencils he Consequently, means are provided to' should select for printing and to operate the` v'identifying means denoting confectionery,

for instance, may `be spaced a certain d'stance from the forward edge of the fralime 1while the identifying means denoting s ationery, forinstance, may be spaced a diterent distance from the front edge of the stencil, and so on. As the concern whose address is borne by a stencil may handle more than one class of goods, the stencil may have plurality of identifying means, or punch o es.

In combination' with the; stencil, as thus arranged, suitable' indicating or selecting i means are associated with the stencily printmg machine. Said indicating or selecting means may' include the U-shaped vclips or indicators 93.' Said clips are adapted td tit .over one of the' stencil tracks as the track 14 vand be retained frictionally in adjusted positionl thereon. The upper arms of said 'clips are adapted to extend-ayer the upper y face of said track and terminate adjacent the perforated margins or frames of thestencils. -Said clips are adapted to be so positioned uponthe track in the selecting position between the sectors and the stencil older, in which position the successive stencils momentarily remain stationary, as to aligner registerwith the' perforations in the stencils'adapted to be selected for printing and to be" out of register with the identifying means of stencils in undesired classes.

Said clips are properly positioned by trial to register with the 'perforations in the stencils to be selected or said track 14 may be calibrated and the stencils may be perforated in conformity with.` the calibrations 94 thereof whereby the clips initially .may be properly positioned on the track without a previous trial for registration.

The 4operation of the machine to print from selected stencils only and to pass other stencils through the machine without printin therefrom is or may be substantially as fo lows: t

The operative may pull out the springpressed pin 44 whereby to release the operating handle 41 from operative connection lll) al counter-clockwise direction.

with the uarm 40 and rotate said handle in This serves to reciprocate the pusher to move stencils successively into and along the track and past theselector clips 93. Each com plete `rotation ofthe handle, when disconnected from thearm 40, serves to move the stencils one-*stencil length further along the track. During this operation, the operative observes the position of the stencils with respect to the selector clips. When a stencil is introduced into the stencil track and, in the intermediate or selecting position of the stencil, one or moreperforations therein are aligned or in register With one or more selecting clipsy 93, thereby indicating that the stencil is to be utilized for printing, the'spring pressed button 44 is released whereby` to lock the handle with the arln 40. The handle is thereupon rotated in av clockwise position whereby to actuate the printing sectors as well ,as the' stencil vfeeding mechanism. Said sectors rotate into engagement -With the selected stencils and the work' and move both simultaneously .along the track and record the stenciled impression upon the work. At, the same time, the printing operation is being performed, a second stencil is moved by the pusher from the stencil holder into the selector position in readiness to be engaged bythe rinting sectors upon .the next revolution tiiereof. vif one or more .perforations in the'stencil are 'found'toi be in register with a selec-tor clip 93,-the operating handle 41 is again rotated in a clockwise direction for a second complete revolution thereby to record the' impression borne by that stencil.

"It, however, none 4of the perforations in the stencil are in register. with a selector fclip, this is an indication that the stencil is not to be utilized' for printing. Consequently, the s ring-pressed'fpin 4a is withdrawn by vthis stencil.

'repeated indefinitely or for so long as there -are stencils inthe stencil receiver.

'from loc (ing engagement With the arm 40 and the operating handle is lrotated in/a counterclockwise direction, thereby moving said undesired' 'stencily along the track, and out-of printing position, but without operating the printing sectors and, conse( uently, without recording'theimpressions orne These operations may be While the machine herein shownv is so arranged that the operating handle is ro direction to feed undesired stencils through the machine without printing therefrom, yet it is obvious the machinelmay function to print from selected stencils and -reject undesiredvstencils upon rotating the operating handle in one .direction only.

In connection` with means certain stencils and rejecting undesired for selecting stencils, means are also provided for printstance, upon the sheets at the same time the characters borne by the stencils are printed on the sheets.

The dating device may include a sector 110, which sector is formed or provided with a slot 111 adapted removably to hold type slugs v112. Said sector is fixed preferably detachably to the upper operating shaft 35. A sector 113 is fixed to said low- .er operating shaft 27 and serves as a platen to support the Work a ainst the action of the type slugs carried y the upper sector. Said two sectors are so fixed to their respective shafts that they rotate together simultaneously with a corresponding movement of the printing sectors 25 andl 26. The type carried by the sector 111 may be inked by suitablev means as an ink roll 115, which inkproll is disposed between the dating sector and the stencil holder and 1s rotatably mounted upon the bracket `83. Said ink roll is composed of felt or other porous ink absorbent material and is adapted to be engaged and rotated b the type on said dating sector and as sai dating sector is rotated.

Said ink, roll isy ink to render unnecessary the re-inking of said ink roll except at extended intervals. inasmuch as the dating sector is driven with the printing sector, it is apparentthat thedate or other characters, borne by said sector, will be impressed upon the Work only when the characters borne by selected stencils are also imprinted on the Work.

The structure may be otherwise modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A stencil printing machine having means to feed Astencils successively into and out of a printing position, means carried by the machine to indicate certain stencils for printing, and manually actuated means to print from such selected stencils and to pass other stencils into and out of printing position without printing therefrom.

2. A stencil printing machine adapted to )rint from a plurality of stencils having identifying means, means to feed the stencils successively into and out of a printing position, means to indicate certain stencils or printing. including indicating means adapted to register With the identifying means of certain stencils, and manually actuated means to print from such selected stencils and to pass unselected stencils into and out of printingv position without printing therefrom.

3. A stencil printing machine adapted to print from a plurality of stencils having identifying means, means to feed the sten-` osition, means to indicate certain stencils or printing therefrom including indicating means adapted to register With the identifying means of certain stencils during a period of rest ofthe stencils and manually actuated means to print from such selected stencils and to pass other stencils into and from.

out of printing position Without printing therefrom.v i

4. vA vstencil printing machine adapted to print from a'plurality of stencils having identifying means, .means to feed the stencils progressively into a selecting positionl and thence into and out of a printing position, stencil selecting means including indicating means adapted to' register with the identifying means of certain stencils When in the selecting position, and manually actuated means to printfrom such selected stencils and to pass other stencils into and out `of printing position witho t printing there- .A stencil printing machine adapted to print from a plurality'of stencils having identifying means, means to feed the sten- 4 cils progressively into a selecting position and thence into and out `cfa printing position, stencil selecting meansv including indieating means disposed adjacent the path of movement of said stencils and adapted to register with the identifying means of cer,-

l tain stencils when in the selecting position,

and manually actuated means to print from suchselected stencils and to pass other stencilsinto and out of printing position without printing therefrom.

. 6. A stencil T'printing machine having means to move stencils successively into and ont of a printing position, means to indicate visually to an operative certain stencils for printing, and manual means operable at 'the Will ofthe operative to print from the indicated stencils and to pass other stencils into and out of the printing position with- I out printing therefrom.

7. A stencil printing machine adapted to print from a plurality of stencils bearing identifying means, means to feed the stencils. successively into andout'of a printing position, and means to select stencils of a therefrom.

8. A stencil printing machine ada tedto print from a plurality of stencils aving identifying means, a stencil track along which successive stencilsare moved intermittently, means to select predetermined stencils for printing therefrom including indicating means disposed adjacent said track in position to register with the indicating means of the predetermined stencils only in a period of rest of said stencils, and manual means to print from the selected stencils and pass the unselected stencils along the track Without printing therefrom.

. 9. A stencil printing machine adapted to print from a plurality of stencils having identifying means, a stencil track along which successive stencilsiare moved intermittently, means to select predetermined stencils for printing therefrom including indicatinlg means adjustably carried by said track in position to register With the indicating` means of the predetermined stencils only in a period of rest of said stencils, and manual means to print from the selected'stencils and pass the unselected stencils along the track Without printing therefrom;

10. A stencil printing machine. adapted to print from a plurality of stencils, having identifying means, a stencil track, stencil selectin means including an indicator disposed a jacent the track, means to move the stencils successively along said track and into a position opposite said indicator, whereby the identifying means of the stencils may register with the indicator, and thereafter move the stencils ,into and out of a printing position, and manual means to print from the registering stencils and pass the non-registering stencils into and out of I the printing position without printing therefrom.

11. A stencil printing machine adapted to print from a plurality of stencils having indicating means, a calibrated stencil track,

means to move stencils successively into a` position adjacent the calibrations of said track, wherebythe indicating means of said stencils may register with a calibration, andv thence' move the stencils into and out of a printing position, and manual means to print from the registerin stencils, and pass the non-registering stenci s into and out of printing4 position without printing therefrom. l

12. A. stencil printing machine having stencil printing means, stencil feeding means, a common operating member for both means, and mechanical connections bev tween said operating member and both means arranged to'be made and broken at the will of an operative.

13. A stencilprinting machine having a superposed printing sectors, a stencil trac disposed between said sectors, .stencil feeding means including a reciprocal pusher operable to move stencilsl along said track e s position between ssa www, n ope 3 ating handle common to said sectors and said pusher, a breakable driving connection between said handle and said sectors and pusher. l

144. A vstencil printing machine having stencil printing means, stencil feeding means, a common operating member for both means, and means including breakable mechanical connections between said mem# bei' and the aforesaid means whereby the stencil feeding means-may be actuated succesively independently of said printing means.

l5. A stencil printing machine having superposed printing sectors, a stencil track disposed between said sectors, means to feed stencils along said track into position to be engaged by said sectors, a clip-movably positioned uponsaid track v:adjacent the stencil path therein, means conjointly to rotate said Sectors -and operate said feeding means,

means to disable saidsectors and eect the operation of said feeding means alone, and means tozhold said sectors in a stencil-releasefpcsition.

16. A stencil lprinting machine having means to feed a series of stencils successively into and out of aA printing position, stencil n testimony whereof, l

printing means, means to select certain stencils for printing and t0 pass other stencils through the printing position without operating said stencil printing means,

and other printing means arranged for operation only with said stencil printing means.

17. A'stencil printing machine having the combination of superposed printing sectors, means to feed stencils successively' between' said sectors, other printing sectors arranged in fixed driving relation with said first printing sectors, and an operating member for said sectors and feeding means, .sa-1d operating member having a releasable drivstencil feeding with said common o erating member, whereby each means may e operated independently of the other and also whereby both means may be operated conjointly. l

have signed my name-to this specification.

HARMON l?. ELLIOTT. 

